Semiconductor device

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor device includes first and second well regions having a first conductivity type, and a third well region between the first and second well regions having a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. A first active region is in the first well region. A second active region is in the second well region. A third active region is in the third well region. The third active region is closer to the second active region than to the first active region. A fourth active region is in the third well region. The fourth active region is closer to the first active region than to the second active region. A first conductive pattern is across the first and third active regions. A second conductive pattern is across the second and fourth active regions and parallel to the first conductive pattern.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0115510 filed on Oct. 17, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Some example embodiments relate to a semiconductor device and an electronic system.

2. Description of Related Art

A static random access memory (SRAM) device, which is used as a cache memory of a portable electronic product or a computer, exhibits relatively low power consumption and operates at a relatively high speed. SRAM devices may include a high-load resistor SRAM device using a high-load resistor, and a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device using a CMOS. In general, the CMOS SRAM device exhibits desirable low-voltage characteristics and requires a relatively low stand-by current.

SUMMARY

Some example embodiments provide a semiconductor device capable of improving dispersion characteristics. Other example embodiments provide a semiconductor device including a pair of inverters formed of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) with improved stability.

Other example embodiments provide a semiconductor device capable of preventing or reducing interference between adjacent elements. Other example embodiments provide a semiconductor device including a pair of inverters cross-coupled to each other to form a storage element. Other example embodiments provide an electronic system including the semiconductor devices.

The disclosure is not limited to the above example embodiments, and other example embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on the following descriptions.

In accordance with an example embodiment, a semiconductor device includes first and second well regions, and a third well region between the first and second well regions. The first and second well regions have a first conductivity type, and the third well region has a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. A first active region is in the first well region. A second active region is in the second well region. A third active region is in the third well region and closer to the second active region than to the first active region. A fourth active region in the third well region and closer to the first active region than to the second active region. A first conductive pattern is across the first and third active regions. A second conductive pattern is across the second and fourth active regions and parallel to the first conductive pattern.

One end portion of the third active region may be between the second and fourth active regions, and one end portion of the fourth active region may be between the first and third active regions.

Each of the first and second active regions may include a first portion having a first width, and a second portion having a second width smaller than the first width. The first portion of the first active region may face the second portion of the second active region, and the second portion of the first active region may face the first portion of the second active region.

A portion of the third active region facing the second portion of the second active region may be larger than a portion of the third active region facing the first portion of the second active region. A portion of the fourth active region facing the second portion of the first active region may be larger than a portion of the fourth active region facing the first portion of the first active region.

The first conductive pattern may have a bar shape across the first portion of the first active region and the third active region. The second conductive pattern may have a bar shape across the first portion of the second active region and the third active region.

The semiconductor device may further include a third conductive pattern across the first active region, and a fourth conductive pattern across the second active region.

The second and third conductive patterns may have end portions facing each other. The facing end portions of the second and third conductive patterns may be between the first and third active regions. Also, the first and fourth conductive patterns may have end portions facing each other. The facing end portions of the first and fourth conductive patterns may be between the second and fourth active regions.

The semiconductor device may further include a lower gate dielectric material, a middle gate dielectric material, and an upper gate dielectric material sequentially stacked on the semiconductor substrate, and between the first conductive pattern and the third active region. The upper gate dielectric material may overlap both the third active region and the first active region, and any one end portion of the middle gate dielectric material may be between the first and third active regions.

In accordance with another example embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first access element, a second pull-up element, and a second pull-down element on a semiconductor substrate and sequentially arranged along a first direction. A first pull-down element, a first pull-up element, and a second access element are on the semiconductor substrate and sequentially arranged along the first direction. The first pull-down element and the first access element are sequentially arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction. The second access element and the second pull-down element are sequentially arranged along the second direction. The first pull-up element is closer to the second access element than the first pull-down element, and the second pull-up element is closer to the first access element than the second pull-down element.

The first pull-down element and the first access element may be in a first active region of the semiconductor substrate. The second pull-down element and the second access element may be in a second active region of the semiconductor substrate. The first pull-up element may be in a third active region of the semiconductor substrate. The second pull-up element may be in a fourth active region of the semiconductor substrate. The third and fourth active regions may be between the first and second active regions. The third active region may be closer to the second active region than the first active region. The fourth active region may be closer to the first active region than the second active region.

The first pull-down element may be a first NMOS transistor including a first NMOS gate electrode, a first NMOS source region, and a first NMOS drain region. The first pull-up element may be a first PMOS transistor including a first PMOS gate electrode, a first PMOS source region, and a first PMOS drain region. The second pull-down element may be a second NMOS transistor including a second NMOS gate electrode, a second NMOS source region, and a second NMOS drain region. The second pull-up element may be a second PMOS transistor including a second PMOS gate electrode, a second PMOS source region, and a second PMOS drain region. The first access element may be a third NMOS transistor including a third NMOS gate electrode, a third NMOS source region, and a third NMOS drain region. The second access element may be a fourth NMOS transistor including a fourth NMOS gate electrode, a fourth NMOS source region, and a fourth NMOS drain region.

The first pull-down element and the first pull-up element may form a first inverter, and the second pull-down element and the second pull-up element may form a second inverter. The first inverter may include the first NMOS gate electrode and the first PMOS gate electrode in a bar-shape. The second inverter may include the second NMOS gate electrode and the second PMOS gate electrode in a bar-shape.

The semiconductor device may further include a first bit line electrically connected to the third NMOS drain region, a second bit line electrically connected to the fourth NMOS drain region, and a power line between the first and second bit lines and electrically connected to the first and second PMOS source regions.

The semiconductor device may further include a first ground line electrically connected to the first NMOS source region, a second ground line electrically connected to the second NMOS source region, and a word line between the first and second ground lines and electrically connected to the third and fourth NMOS gate electrodes.

The semiconductor device may further include a first shared contact pattern between the first pull-down element and the first pull-up element, and overlapping the second PMOS drain region, the first NMOS gate electrode and the first PMOS gate electrode, and a second shared contact pattern between the second pull-down element and the second pull-up element, and overlapping the first PMOS drain region, the second NMOS gate electrode and the second PMOS gate electrode.

In accordance with yet another example embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first pull-down element and a first pull-up element sequentially arranged along a first direction on a semiconductor substrate, and a second pull-up element and a second pull-down element sequentially arranged parallel to the first pull-down element and the first pull-up element along the first direction on the semiconductor substrate, the first pull-up element between the second pull-up element and the second pull-down element, and the second pull-up element between the first pull-down element and the first pull-up element in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

The first pull-down element may be in a first active region disposed in a first well region of the semiconductor substrate, the first well region having a first conductivity type, the second pull-down element may be in a second active region disposed in a second well region of the semiconductor substrate, the second well region having the first conductivity type, the first pull-up element may be in a third active region disposed in a third well region of the semiconductor substrate, the third well region having a second conductivity type, the second pull-up element may be in a fourth active region disposed in the third well region of the semiconductor substrate, the third and fourth active regions may be between the first and second active regions, the third active region may be closer to the second active region than to the first active region, and the fourth active region may be closer to the first active region than to the second active region.

The first pull-down element may be a first NMOS transistor including a first NMOS gate electrode, a first NMOS source region, and a first NMOS drain region, the first pull-up element may be a first PMOS transistor including a first PMOS gate electrode, a first PMOS source region, and a first PMOS drain region, the second pull-down element may be a second NMOS transistor including a second NMOS gate electrode, a second NMOS source region, and a second NMOS drain region, and the second pull-up element may be a second PMOS transistor including a second PMOS gate electrode, a second PMOS source region, and a second PMOS drain region.

The first pull-down element and the first pull-up element may form a first inverter, the second pull-down element and the second pull-up element may form a second inverter, the first inverter may include the first NMOS gate electrode and the first PMOS gate electrode in a bar-shape, and the second inverter may include the second NMOS gate electrode and the second PMOS gate electrode in a bar-shape.

The device may further include a first shared contact pattern between the first pull-down element and the first pull-up element and overlapping the second PMOS drain region, the first NMOS gate electrode and the first PMOS gate electrode, and a second shared contact pattern between the second pull-down element and the second pull-up element and overlapping the first PMOS drain region, the second NMOS gate electrode and the second PMOS gate electrode.

Specific particulars of other example embodiments are included in detailed descriptions and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the inventive concepts will be apparent from the more particular description of example embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the inventive concepts. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a circuit diagram of a semiconductor device according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a plan view of a semiconductor device according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an example of a semiconductor device according to an example embodiment;

FIGS. 3A 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8A are plan views of an example of a semiconductor device according to an example embodiment;

FIGS. 3B, 4B, 4C, 4D, 5B, 5C, 5D, 6B, 6C, 6D, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F are cross-sectional views corresponding to portions of the plan views of FIGS. 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8A;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an electronic system including a semiconductor device according to an example embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device including a semiconductor device according to example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The inventive concepts will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. This inventive concepts may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete and fully conveys the scope of the inventive concepts to one skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-section and plan illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized example embodiments of the inventive concepts. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, an etched region illustrated as a rectangle will, typically, have rounded or curved features. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventive concepts. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. It will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “on” another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate or intervening layers may also be present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Spatially relative terms, such as “top end”, “bottom end”, “top surface”, “bottom surface”, “upper”, “lower” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” can encompass both an orientation of lower and upper. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

It will be understood that, although the terms “upper”, “middle”, “lower”, etc. may be used herein to describe relative positions of elements, such elements should not be construed as limited by these terms. For example, an upper element could be termed a first element, a middle element could be termed a second element, and a lower element could be termed a third element, without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, A, B, etc. may be used herein in reference to elements of the inventive concepts, such elements should not be construed as limited by these terms. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts.

The terminology used herein to describe example embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the inventive concepts.

The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are singular in that they have a single referent, however the use of the singular form in the present document should not preclude the presence of more than one referent. In other words, elements of the inventive concepts referred to in the singular may number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, items, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art to which this inventive concepts belong. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1A is a circuit diagram of a semiconductor device according to an example embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a plan view of a semiconductor device according to an example embodiment. FIG. 1B is a plan view corresponding to the circuit diagram of FIG. 1A.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a semiconductor substrate 1 including a first well region 3 p_1, a second well region 3 p_2, and a third well region 3 n interposed between the first and second well regions 3 p_1 and 3 p_2 may be provided. The first and second well regions 3 p_1 and 3 p_2 may have a first conductivity type, and the third well region 3 n may have a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. For example, the first and second well regions 3 p_1 and 3 p_2 may be p-wells of a p conductivity type, and the third well region 3 n may be an n-well of an n conductivity type.

A first active region 9 a may be disposed in the first well region 3 p_1 of the semiconductor substrate 1. A second active region 9 b may be disposed in the second well region 3 p_2 of the semiconductor substrate 1. Third and fourth active regions 9 c and 9 d may be disposed in the third well region 3 n of the semiconductor substrate 1. The third active region 9 c may be closer to the second active region 9 b than to the first active region 9 a. The fourth active region 9 d may be closer to the first active region 9 a than to the second active region 9 b. The third and fourth active regions 9 c and 9 d may have a smaller width than the first and second active regions 9 a and 9 b. The first, second, third, and fourth active regions 9 a, 9 b, 9 c, and 9 d may have portions parallel to one another.

First and second inverters INT_1 and INT_2 may be disposed on the semiconductor substrate 1. The first inverter INT_1 may include a first pull-down element PD1 and a first pull-up element PU1. The first pull-down element PD1 may be disposed on the first well region 3 p_1 of the semiconductor substrate 1, while the first pull-up element PU1 may be disposed on the third well region 3 n. The first pull-down element PD1 may be a first NMOS transistor including a first NMOS gate electrode, a first NMOS drain region, and a first NMOS source region, while the first pull-up element PU1 may be a first PMOS transistor including a first PMOS gate electrode, a first PMOS drain region, and a first PMOS source region.

The second inverter INT_2 may include a second pull-down element PD2 and a second pull-up element PU2. The second pull-down element PD2 may be disposed on the second well region 3 p_2 of the semiconductor substrate 1, while the second pull-up element PU2 may be disposed on the third well region 3 n. The second pull-down element PD2 may be a second NMOS transistor including a second NMOS gate electrode, a second NMOS drain region, and a second NMOS source region, while the second pull-up element PU2 may be a second PMOS transistor including a second PMOS gate electrode, a second PMOS drain region, and a PMOS source region.

The first and second pull-up elements PU1 and PU2 may be interposed between the first and second pull-down elements PD1 and PD2. The first pull-up element PU1 may be interposed between the second pull-up element PU2 and the second pull-down element PD2. The first pull-up element PU1 may be closer to the second pull-down element PD2 than to the first pull-down element PD1. The second pull-up element PU2 may be interposed between the first pull-up element PU1 and the first pull-down element PD1. The second pull-up element PU2 may be closer to the first pull-down element PD1 than to the second pull-down element PD2.

A first conductive pattern 15 a may be disposed across the first and third active regions 9 a and 9 c. A second conductive pattern 15 b may be disposed across the second and fourth active regions 9 b and 9 d. A portion of the first conductive pattern 15 a, which may overlap the first active region 9 a, may be defined as the first NMOS gate electrode of the first pull-down element PD1. A portion of the first conductive pattern 15 a, which may overlap the third active region 9 c, may be defined as the first PMOS gate electrode of the first pull-up element PU1, A portion of the second conductive pattern 15 b, which may overlap the second active region 9 b, may be defined as the second NMOS gate electrode of the second pull-down element PD2. A portion of the second conductive pattern 151), which may overlap the fourth active region 9 d, may be defined as the second PMOS gate electrode of the second pull-up element PU2.

A first shared contact pattern 30 a may be disposed to be electrically connected to the second PMOS drain region of the second pull-up element PU2 and the first conductive pattern 15 a. The first shared contact pattern 30 a may overlap a portion of the first conductive pattern 15 a, which may be interposed between the first and third active regions 9 a and 9 c, and also overlap the second PMOS drain region of the second pull-up element PU2. The first shared contact pattern 30 a may be interposed between the first pull-down element PD1 and the first pull-up element PU1.

A second shared contact pattern 30 b may be disposed to be electrically connected to the first PMOS drain region of the first pull-up element PU1 and the second conductive pattern 15 b. The second shared contact pattern 30 b may overlap a portion of the second conductive pattern 15 b, which may be interposed between the second and fourth active regions 9 b and 9 d, and also overlap the first PMOS drain region of the first pull-up element PU1. The second shared contact pattern 30 b may be interposed between the second pull-down element PD2 and the second pull-up element PU2.

First and second NMOS contact patterns 31 a and 31 b may be disposed on the first NMOS drain region of the first pull-down element PD1, and the second NMOS drain region of the second pull-down element PD2.

A first connection pattern 36 a may be disposed to be electrically connected to the first shared contact pattern 30 a and the NMOS contact pattern 31 c disposed on the second NMOS drain region of the second pull-down element PD2. A second connection pattern 36 b may be disposed to be electrically connected to the second shared contact pattern 30 b and the first NMOS contact pattern 31 a disposed on the first NMOS drain region of the first pull-down element PD1. The first and second inverters INT_1 and INT_2 may be cross-coupled to each other through the first and second connection patterns 36 a and 36 b and the first and second shared contact patterns 30 a and 30 b.

According to the example embodiment, the semiconductor device including the first and second inverters INT_1 and INT_2 may be provided.

Among the elements PD1, PU1, PD2, and PU2 constituting the first and second inverters INT_1 and INT_2, the second pull-up element PU2 may be disposed between the first pull-down element PD1 and the first pull-up element PU1, and the first pull-up element PU1 may be disposed between the second pull-down element PD2 and the second pull-up element PU2 so that interference between the first pull-down element PD1 and the first pull-up element PU1, and interference between the second pull-down element PD2 and the second pull-up element PU2 can be prevented or reduced.

Hereinafter, an example of the semiconductor device including the first and second inverters INT_1 and INT_2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 through 8F along with FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an example of the semiconductor device adopting the first and second inverters INT_1 and INT_2 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIGS. 3A through 8A are plan views of an example of the semiconductor device adopting the first and second inverters INT_1 and INT_2 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, and FIGS. 3B, 4B, 4C, 4D, 5B, 5C, 5D, 6B, 6C, 6D, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F are cross-sectional views corresponding to portions of the plan views of FIGS. 3A through 8A.

FIGS. 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8A are plan views illustrating process operations of a method of fabricating an example of the semiconductor device adopting the first and second inverters INT_1 and INT_2, according to an example embodiment.

In FIGS. 3B through 8B, portions denoted by lines I-I′ are cross-sectional portions corresponding to regions taken along lines I-I′ of FIGS. 3A through 8A, and portions denoted by lines II-II′ are cross-sectional portions corresponding to regions taken along lines II-II′ of FIGS. 3A through 8A.

In FIGS. 4C through 8C, portions denoted by lines III-III′ are cross-sectional portions corresponding to regions taken along lines III-III′ of FIGS. 5A through 8A, and portions denoted by lines IV-IV′ are cross-sectional portions corresponding to regions taken along lines IV-IV′ of FIGS. 5A through 8A.

In FIGS. 4D through 8D, portions denoted by lines V-V′ are cross-sectional portions corresponding to regions taken along lines V-V′ of FIGS. 5A through 8A, and portions denoted by lines VI-VI′ are cross-sectional portions corresponding to regions taken along lines VI-VI′ of FIGS. 5A through 8A.

FIGS. 7E and 8E are cross-sectional views of regions taken along lines VII-VII′ of FIGS. 7A and 8A.

In FIGS. 7F and 8F, portions denoted by lines VIII-VIII′ are cross-sectional portions corresponding to regions taken along lines VIII-VIII′ of FIGS. 7A and 8A, and portions denoted by lines IX-IX′ are cross-sectional portions corresponding to regions taken along lines IX-IX′ of FIGS. 7A and 8A.

To begin with, an example of the semiconductor device including the first and second inverters INT_1 and INT_2 will now be described with the circuit diagram of FIG. 2 along with FIGS. 1A and 1B.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, a semiconductor device 100 including the first and second inverters INT_1 and INT_2 may be provided. The first and second inverters INT_1 and INT_2 may be cross-coupled to each other to form a storage element.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the first inverter INT_1 may include the first pull-down element PD1 and the first pull-up element PU1, while the second inverter INT_2 may include the second pull-down element PD2 and the second pull-up element PU2.

The semiconductor device 100 may include a 6-transistor static random access memory (6T-SRAM) including two access elements T1 and T2 electrically connected to the first and second inverters INT_1 and INT_2. The first access element T1 may be a third NMOS transistor. The second access element T2 may be a fourth NMOS transistor.

Example embodiments are not limited to the 6T-SRAM. For example, the semiconductor device according to an example embodiment may include a 7-transistor SRAM (7T-SRAM), an 8-transistor SRAM (8T-SRAM), a 9-transistor SRAM (9T-SRAM), or a 10-transistor SRAM (10T-SRAM). For instance, each of the 7T-SRAM, 8T-SRAM, 9T-SRAM, and 10T-SRAM may include the first and second inverters INT_1 and INT_2 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B.

An example of the semiconductor device including the first and second inverters INT_1 and INT_2 will be described with reference to the plan and cross-section illustrations of FIGS. 3F through 8F along with FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A, and 3B, a semiconductor substrate 1 may be provided. In FIG. 3A, reference character “UC” refers to a unit cell region. For example, reference character “UC” refers to a unit cell region of an SRAM device.

The semiconductor substrate 1 may include a plurality of well regions. The semiconductor substrate 1 may include a first well region 3 p_1, a second well region 3 p_2, and a third well region 3 n interposed between the first and second well regions 3 p_1 and 3 p_2. The first and second well regions 3 p_1 and 3 p_2 may have a first conductivity type, while the third well region 3 n may have a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. For example, the first and second well regions 3 p_1 and 3 p_2 may be p-type wells, while the third well region 3 n may be an n-type well.

An isolation region 6 defining a plurality of active regions may be disposed in the semiconductor substrate 1. The isolation region 6 may be a shallow trench isolation (STI) region. The plurality of active regions may include first, second, third, and fourth active regions 9 a, 9 b, 9 c, and 9 d. The first active region 9 a may be disposed in the first well region 3 p_1, the second active region 9 b may be disposed in the second well region 3 p_2, and the third and fourth active regions 9 c and 9 d may be disposed in the third well region 3 n. The first and second active regions 9 a and 9 b may have a different conductivity type from the third and fourth active regions 9 c and 9 d. The first and second active regions 9 a and 9 b may have a p conductivity type, and the third and fourth active regions 9 c and 9 d may have an n conductivity type. The first, second, third, and fourth active regions 9 a, 9 b, 9 c, and 9 d may have portions parallel to one another. The first and second active regions 9 a and 9 b may be spaced apart from each other. Each of the first and second active regions 9 a and 9 b may run across the unit cell region UC of the semiconductor substrate 1.

The first active region 9 a may have a first portion 9 a_1 having a first width W1, and a second portion 9 a_2 having a second width W2 that is smaller than the first width W1. The second active region 9 b may have a first portion 9 b_1 having the first width W1, and a second portion 9 b_2 having the second width W2. The first portion 9 a_1 of the first active region 9 a may face the second portion 9 b_2 of the second active region 9 b, while the second portion 9 a_2 of the first active region 9 a may face the first portion 9 b_1 of the second active region 9 b.

The third and fourth active regions 9 c and 9 d may be interposed between the first and second active regions 9 a and 9 b. Each of the third and fourth active regions 9 c and 9 d may have a third width W3 that is smaller than the second width W2.

The third active region 9 c may be disposed closer to the second active region 9 b than to the first active region 9 a. One end portion of the third active region 9 c may be disposed in the unit cell region UC. One end portion of the third active region 9 c may be interposed between the second and fourth active regions 9 b and 9 d.

The fourth active region 9 d may be disposed closer to the first active region 9 a than to the second active region 9 b. One end portion of the fourth active region 9 d may be disposed in the unit cell region UC. One end portion of the fourth active region 9 d may be interposed between the first and third active regions 9 a and 9 c.

Portions of the third and fourth active regions 9 c and 9 d, which may not face each other, may be larger than portions of the third and fourth active regions 9 c and 9 d, which may face each other. A portion of the third active region 9 c, which faces the second portion 9 b_2 of the second active region 9 b, may be larger than a portion of the third active region 9 c, which faces the first portion 9 b_1 of the second active region 9 b. A portion of the fourth active region 9 d, which faces the second portion 9 a_2 of the first active region 9 a, may be larger than a portion of the fourth active region 9 d, which faces the first portion 9 a_1 of the first active region 9 a.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D, the first inverter INT_1 the second inverter INT_2, the first access element T1, and the second access element T2 may be disposed on the semiconductor substrate 1.

The first inverter INT_1 may include the first pull-down element PD1 and the first pull-up element PU1. The first pull-down element PD1 may be disposed on the first well region 3 p_1, and the first pull-up element PU1 may be disposed on the third well region 3 n.

The first pull-down element PD1 may be a first NMOS transistor including a first NMOS gate electrode 15 a_1, a first NMOS gate dielectric material 12 n_1, a first NMOS drain region 22 a_1, and a first NMOS source region 22 a_2. The first pull-up element PU1 may be a first PMOS transistor including a first PMOS gate electrode 15 a_2, a first PMOS gate dielectric material 12 p_1, a first PMOS drain region 23 a_1, and a first PMOS source region 23 a_2.

The second inverter INT_2 may include a second pull-down element PD2 and a second pull-up element PU2. The second pull-down element PD2 may be disposed on the second well region 3 p_2, while the second pull-up element PU2 may be disposed on the third well region 3 n.

The second pull-down element PD2 may be a second NMOS transistor including a second NMOS gate electrode 15 b_1, a second NMOS gate dielectric material 12 n_2, a second NMOS drain region 22 b_1, and a second NMOS source region 22 b_2. The second pull-up element PU2 may be a second PMOS transistor including a second PMOS gate electrode 15 b_2, a second PMOS gate dielectric material 12 p_2, a second PMOS drain region 23 b_1, and a second PMOS source region 23 b_2.

The first pull-down element PD1, the second pull-up element PU2, the first pull-up element PU1, and the second pull-down element PD2 may be arranged to be in a zigzag shape. The first and second pull-up elements PU1 and PU2 may be interposed between the first and second pull-down elements PD1 and PD2. The first pull-up element PU1 may be closer to the second pull-down element PD2 than to the first pull-down element PD1. The second pull-up element PU2 may be closer to the first pull-down element PD1 than to the second pull-down element PD2.

The first access element T1 may be disposed on the first well region 3 p_1. The first access element T1 may be a third NMOS transistor including a third NMOS gate electrode 15 c_1, a third NMOS gate dielectric material 12 n_3, a third NMOS drain region 22 a_3, and a third NMOS source region 22 a_1.

The second access element T2 may be disposed on the second well region 3 p_2. The second access element T2 may be a fourth NMOS transistor including a fourth NMOS gate electrode 15 d_1, a fourth NMOS gate dielectric material 12 n_4, a fourth NMOS drain region 22 b_3, and a fourth NMOS source region 22 b_1.

The first pull-down element PD1, the first pull-up element PU1, and the second access element T2 may be sequentially arranged along a first direction X. The first NMOS gate electrode 15 a_1 of the first pull-down element PD1, the first PMOS gate electrode 15 a_2 of the first pull-up element PU1, and the fourth NMOS gate electrode 15 d_1 of the second access element T2 may be arranged in a row along the first direction X.

The first access element T1, the second pull-up element PU2, and the second pull-down element PD2 may be arranged in a row along the first direction X. The third NMOS gate electrode 15 c_1 of the first access element T1, the second PMOS gate electrode 15 b_2 of the second pull-up element PU2, and the second NMOS gate electrode 15 b_1 of the second pull-down element PD2 may be arranged in a row along the first direction X.

The first pull-down element PD1 and the first access element T1 may be arranged in a row along a second direction Y. The second direction Y may intersect the first direction X. For example, the second direction Y may be orthogonal to the first direction X. The second access element T2 and the second pull-down element PD2 may be arranged in a row along the second direction Y.

The first pull-up element PU1 may be disposed closer to the second access element T2 than to the first pull-down element PD1. The second pull-up element PU2 may be disposed closer to the first access element T1 than to the second pull-down element PD2.

The first conductive pattern 15 a may be disposed across the first portion 9 a_1 of the first active region 9 a and the third active region 9 c. The first conductive pattern 15 a may have a bar shape. A portion of the first conductive pattern 15 a, which may overlap the first portion 9 a_1 of the first active region 9 a, may be defined as the first NMOS gate electrode 15 a_1 of the first pull-down element PD1. A portion of the first conductive pattern 15 a, which may overlap the third active region 9 c, may be defined as the first PMOS gate electrode 15 a_2 of the first pull-up element PU1. Also, a portion of the first conductive pattern 15 a, which may be interposed between the first NMOS gate electrode 15 a_1 and the first PMOS gate electrode 15 a_2, may be defined as a first gate connection 15 a_3. The first NMOS gate electrode 15 a_1 of the first pull-down element PD1 and the first PMOS gate electrode 15 a_2 of the first pull-up element PU1 may be electrically connected to each other by the first gate connection 15 a_3.

The second conductive pattern 15 b may be disposed across the first portion 9 b_1 of the second active region 9 b and the fourth active region 9 d. The second conductive pattern 15 b may have a bar shape. The second conductive pattern 15 b may have a portion facing the first conductive pattern 15 a. A portion of the second conductive pattern 15 b, which may overlap the first portion 9 b_1 of the second active region 9 b, may be defined as the second NMOS gate electrode 15 b_1 of the second pull-down element PD2. A portion of the second conductive pattern 15 b, which may overlap the fourth active region 9 d, may be defined as the second PMOS gate electrode 15 b_2 of the second pull-up element PU2. A portion of the second conductive pattern 15 b, which may be interposed between the second NMOS gate electrode 15 b_1 and the second PMOS gate electrode 15 b_2, may be defined as a second gate connection 15 b_3. The second NMOS gate electrode 15 b_1 of the second pull-down element PD2 and the second PMOS gate electrode 15 b_2 of the second pull-up element PU2 may be electrically connected to each other by the second gate connection 15 b_3.

A third conductive pattern 15 c may be disposed across the second portion 9 a_2 of the first active region 9 a and spaced apart from the first conductive pattern 15 a. A portion of the third conductive pattern 15 c, which may overlap the second portion 9 a_2 of the first active region 9 a, may be defined as the third NMOS gate electrode 15 c_1 of the first access element T1.

A fourth conductive pattern 15 d may be disposed across the second portion 9 b_2 of the second active region 9 b and spaced apart from the second conductive pattern 15 b. A portion of the fourth conductive pattern 15 d, which may overlap the second active region 9 b, may be defined as the fourth NMOS gate electrode 15 d_1 of the second access element T2.

The second and third conductive patterns 15 b and 15 c may have end portions facing each other. The facing end portions of the second and third conductive patterns 15 b and 15 c may be interposed between the first and fourth active regions 9 a and 9 d. The first and fourth conductive patterns 15 a and 15 d may have end portions facing each other. The facing end portions of the first and fourth conductive patterns 15 a and 15 d may be interposed between the second and fourth active regions 9 b and 9 c.

The first through fourth conductive patterns 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, and 15 d may be formed of the same conductive material, for example, polysilicon (poly-Si), tungsten (W), or aluminum (Al).

The first conductive pattern 15 a may have a first side surface Sa1 and a second side surface Sa2 disposed opposite each other. The second conductive pattern 15 b may have a first side surface Sb1 and a second side surface Sb2 disposed opposite each other. The first side surface Sa1 of the first conductive pattern 15 a and the first side surface Sb1 of the second conductive pattern 15 b may be opposite and parallel to each other. The third conductive pattern 15 c may have a first side surface Sc1 and a second side surface Sc2 disposed opposite each other. The first side surface Sc1 of the third conductive pattern 15 c may be opposite and parallel to the first side surface Sa1 of the first conductive pattern 15 a. The fourth conductive pattern 15 d may have a first side surface Sd1 and a second side surface Sd2 disposed opposite each other. The first side surface Sd11 of the fourth conductive pattern 15 d may be opposite and parallel to the first side surface Sb1 of the second conductive pattern 15 b.

The first NMOS drain region 22 a_1 of the first pull-down element PD1 may be a first NMOS impurity region formed in the first active region 9 a disposed adjacent to the first side surface Sa1 of the first conductive pattern 15 a. The first NMOS source region 22 a_2 of the first pull-down element PD1 may be a second NMOS impurity region formed in the first active region 9 a disposed adjacent to the second side surface Sa2 of the first conductive pattern 15 a.

The first PMOS drain region 23 a_1 of the first pull-up element PU1 may be a first PMOS impurity region formed in the third active region 9 c disposed adjacent to the first side surface Sa1 of the first conductive pattern 15 a. The first PMOS source region 23 a_2 of the first pull-up element PU1 may be a second PMOS impurity region formed in the third active region 9 c disposed adjacent to the second side surface Sa2 of the first conductive pattern 15 a.

The second NMOS drain region 22 b_1 of the second pull-down element PD2 may be a third NMOS impurity region formed in the second active region 9 b disposed adjacent to the first side surface Sb1 of the second conductive pattern 15 b. The second NMOS source region 22 b_2 of the second pull-down element PD2 may be a fourth NMOS impurity region formed in the second active region 9 b disposed adjacent to the second side surface Sb2 of the second conductive pattern 15 b.

The second PMOS drain region 23 b_1 of the second pull-up element PU2 may be a third PMOS impurity region formed in the fourth active region 9 d disposed adjacent to the first side surface Sb1 of the second conductive pattern 15 b. The second PMOS source region 23 b_2 of the second pull-up element PU2 may be a fourth PMOS impurity region formed in the fourth active region 9 d disposed adjacent to the second side surface Sb2 of the second conductive pattern 15 b.

The third NMOS source region 21 a_1 of the first access element T1 may be the first NMOS impurity region formed in the first active region 9 a disposed adjacent to the first side surface Sc1 of the third conductive pattern 15 c. The third NMOS drain region 21 a_3 of the first access element T1 may be a fifth NMOS impurity region formed in the first active region 9 a disposed adjacent to the second side surface Sc2 of the third conductive pattern 15 c.

The first pull-down element PD1 and the first access element T1 may share the first NMOS impurity region 21 a_1 therebetween. The first NMOS impurity region 21 a_1 may be both the first NMOS drain region of the first pull-down element PD1 and the third NMOS source region of the first access element T1.

The fourth NMOS source region 21 b_1 of the second access element T2 may be the third NMOS impurity region formed in the second active region 9 b disposed adjacent to the first side surface Sd1 of the fourth conductive pattern 15 d. The fourth NMOS drain region 21 b_3 of the second access element T2 may be a sixth NMOS impurity region formed in the second active region 9 b disposed adjacent to the second side surface Sd2 of the fourth conductive pattern 15 d.

The second pull-down element PD2 and the second access element T2 may share the third NMOS impurity region 21 b_1 therebetween. The third NMOS impurity region 21 b_1 may be both the second NMOS drain region of the second pull-down element PD2 and the fourth NMOS source region of the second access element T2.

The first NMOS gate dielectric material 12 n_1 of the first pull-down element PD1 may be interposed between the first NMOS gate electrode 15 a_1 and the first active region 9 a. The first PMOS gate dielectric material 12 p_1 of the first pull-up element PU1 may be interposed between the first PMOS gate electrode 15 a_2 and the third active region 9 c. The second NMOS gate dielectric material 12 n_2 of the second pull-down element PD2 may be interposed between the second NMOS gate electrode 15 b_1 and the second active region 9 b. The second PMOS gate dielectric material 12 p_2 of the second pull-up element PU2 may be interposed between the second PMOS gate electrode 15 b_2 and the fourth active region 9 d. The third NMOS gate dielectric material 12 n_3 of the first access element T1 may be interposed between the first active region 9 a and the third NMOS gate electrode 15 c_1. The fourth NMOS gate dielectric material 12 n_4 of the second access element T2 may be interposed between the second active region 9 b and the fourth NMOS gate electrode 15 d_1.

The first and second PMOS gate electric materials 12 p_1 and 12 p_2 may be formed of an oxide to a greater thickness than the first, second, third, and fourth NMOS gate dielectric materials 12 n_1, 12 n_2, 12 n_3, and 12 n_4. Each of the first and second PMOS gate dielectric materials 12 p_1 and 12 p_2 may have a multilayered structure or a stack structure.

The first and second PMOS gate dielectric materials 12 p_1 and 12 p_2 and the first, second, third, and fourth NMOS gate dielectric materials 12 n_1, 12 n_2, 12 n_3, and 12 n_4 may include the same material layer.

As compared with the first, second, third, and fourth NMOS gate dielectric materials 12 n_1, 12 n_2, 12 n_3, and 12 n_4, the first and second PMOS gate dielectric materials 12 p_1 and 12 p_2 may further include a middle gate dielectric material 11M. For example, the first, second, third, and fourth NMOS gate dielectric materials 12 n_1, 12 n_2, 12 n_3, and 12 n_4 may include a first gate oxide including a lower gate dielectric material 11L and an upper gate dielectric material 11U stacked sequentially. Also, each of the first and second PMOS gate dielectric materials 12 p_1 and 12 p_2 may include a second gate oxide including the lower gate dielectric material 11L, the middle gate dielectric material 11M, and the upper gate dielectric material 11U stacked sequentially.

The upper gate dielectric material 11U disposed under the first conductive pattern 15 a may include a continuous layer that may overlap the first and third active regions 9 a and 9 c. Also, the upper gate dielectric material 11U disposed under the second conductive pattern 15 b may include a continuous layer that may overlap the second and fourth active regions 9 b and 9 d.

The middle gate dielectric material 11M disposed under the first conductive pattern 15 a may overlap the third active region 9 c and have one end portion interposed between the first and third active regions 9 a and 9 c. For instance, the one end portion of the middle gate dielectric material 11M disposed under the first conductive pattern 15 a may be disposed midway between the first and third active regions 9 a and 9 c.

In addition, the middle gate dielectric material 11M disposed under the second conductive pattern 15 b may overlap the fourth active region 9 d and have one end portion interposed between the second and fourth active regions 9 b and 9 d. For instance, the one end portion of the middle gate dielectric material 11M disposed under the second conductive pattern 15 b may be disposed midway between the second and fourth active regions 9 b and 9 d.

One or two of the lower gate dielectric material 11L, the middle gate dielectric material 11M, and the upper gate dielectric material 11U may include a first dielectric material, while the remaining one or ones thereof may include a second dielectric material having a higher dielectric constant than the first dielectric material. For example, any one or two of the lower gate dielectric material 11L, the middle gate dielectric material 11M, and the upper gate dielectric material 11U may include silicon oxide, while the remaining one or ones thereof may include a high-k dielectric material having a higher dielectric constant than silicon oxide. For example, the high-k dielectric material may be a metal oxide (e.g., aluminum oxide (AlO), zirconium oxide (ZrO), or hafnium oxide (HfO)), silicon oxynitride (SiON), or silicon nitride (SiN).

Insulating spacers 18 may be disposed on side surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth conductive patterns 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, and 15 d. The insulating spacers 18 may be formed of an insulating material, such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride.

In example embodiments, since the first pull-down element PD1, the second pull-up element PU2, the first pull-up element PU1, and the second pull-down element PD2 are sequentially arranged in zigzag, even if the integration density of the device is increased, a distance between the first pull-down element PD1 and the first pull-up element PU1 and a distance between the second pull-down element PD2 and the second pull-up element PU2 may be ensured. Therefore, problems caused by reductions in the distance between the first pull-down element PD1 and the first pull-up element PU1 and the distance between the second pull-down element PD2 and the second pull-up element PU2, may be prevented or reduced. For example, since the gate dielectric material 12 p_1 of the first pull-up element PU1 may be prevented or reduced from being affected by the first pull-down element PD1, deterioration of characteristics of the first pull-up element PU1 due to the first pull-down element PD1 may be prevented or reduced. Furthermore, a process margin for forming an end portion of the middle gate dielectric material 11M disposed between the first pull-up element PU1 and the first pull-down element PD1, may be ensured.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D, a first interlayer insulating layer 27 may be disposed on the semiconductor substrate 1 having the first and second inverters INT_1, the first access element T1, and the second access element T2.

A first shared contact pattern 30 a may be disposed through the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the first conductive pattern 15 a and the third PMOS impurity region 23 b_1. The first shared contact pattern 30 a may overlap the first gate connection 15 a_3 of the first conductive pattern 15 a and overlap the third PMOS impurity region 23 b_1. The first shared contact pattern 30 a may be disposed between the first pull-down element PD1 and the first pull-up element PU1. The first shared contact pattern 30 a may be electrically connected to the first conductive pattern 15 a so that the first shared contact pattern 30 a can be electrically connected to the first NMOS gate electrode 15 a_1 of the first pull-down element PD1 and the first PMOS gate electrode 15 a_2 of the first pull-up element PU1. Furthermore, the first shared contact pattern 30 a may be electrically connected to the third PMOS impurity region 23 b_1, that is, the second PMOS drain region of the second pull-up element PU2.

A second shared contact pattern 30 b may be disposed through the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the second conductive pattern 15 b and the first PMOS impurity region 23 a_1. The second shared contact pattern 30 b may overlap the second gate connection 15 b_3 of the second conductive pattern 15 b and also the first PMOS impurity region 23 a_1. The second shared contact pattern 30 b may be disposed between the second pull-up element PU2 and the second pull-down element PD2. The second shared contact pattern 30 b may be electrically connected to the second conductive pattern 15 b so that the second shared contact pattern 30 b can be electrically connected to the second NMOS gate electrode 15 b_1 of the second pull-down element PD2 and the second PMOS gate electrode 15 b_2 of the second pull-up element PU2. Furthermore, the second shared contact pattern 30 b may be electrically connected to the first PMOS impurity region 23 a_1, that is, the first PMOS drain region of the first pull-up element PU1.

A first NMOS contact pattern 31 a may be disposed through the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the first NMOS impurity region 22 a_1. Since the first NMOS impurity region 22 a_1 is both the first NMOS drain region of the first pull-down element PD1 and the third NMOS source region of the first access element T1, the first NMOS contact pattern 31 a may be electrically connected to both the first NMOS drain region of the first pull-down element PD1 and the third NMOS source region of the first access element T1.

A second NMOS contact pattern 31 b may be disposed through the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the second NMOS impurity region 22 a_2, that is, the first NMOS source region of the first pull-down element PD1.

A third NMOS contact pattern 31 c may be disposed through the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the third NMOS impurity region 22 b_1. Since the third NMOS impurity region 22 b_1 is both the second NMOS drain region of the second pull-down element PD2 and the fourth NMOS source region of the second access element T2, the third NMOS contact pattern 31 c may be electrically connected to both the second NMOS drain region of the second pull-down element PD2 and the fourth NMOS source region of the second access element T2.

A fourth NMOS contact pattern 31 d may be disposed through the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the fourth NMOS impurity region 22 b_2, that is, the second NMOS source region of the second pull-down element PD2.

A fifth NMOS contact pattern 31 e may be disposed through the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the fifth NMOS impurity region 22 a_3, that is, the third NMOS drain region of the first access element T1.

A sixth NMOS contact pattern 31 f may be disposed through the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the sixth NMOS impurity region 22 b_3, that is, the fourth NMOS drain region of the second access element T2.

A first PMOS contact pattern 32 a may be disposed through the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the second PMOS impurity region 23 a_2, that is, the first PMOS source region of the first pull-up element PU1.

A second PMOS contact pattern 32 b may be disposed through the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the fourth PMOS impurity region 23 b_2, that is, the second PMOS source region of the second pull-up element PU2.

A first gate contact pattern 33 a may be disposed through the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the third NMOS gate electrode 15 c_1.

A second gate contact pattern 33 b may be disposed through the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the fourth NMOS gate electrode 15 d_1.

The first and second shared contact patterns 30 a and 30 b, the first through sixth NMOS contact patterns 31 a, 31 b, 31 c, 31 d, 31 e, and 31 f, the first and second PMOS contact patterns 32 a and 32 b, and the first and second gate contact patterns 33 a and 33 b, may be formed of the same conductive material, such as poly-Si, tungsten, copper, or aluminum.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, a first connection pattern 36 a may be disposed on the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the first shared contact pattern 30 a and the third NMOS contact pattern 31 c. The first connection pattern 36 a may be electrically connected to the first NMOS gate electrode 15 a_1 of the first pull-down element PD1, the first PMOS gate electrode 15 a_2 of the first pull-up element PU1, and the third PMOS impurity region 23 b_1, that is, the second PMOS drain region of the second pull-up element PU2, through the first shared contact pattern 30 a. Also, the first connection pattern 36 a may be electrically connected to the third NMOS impurity region 22 b_1, that is, the second NMOS drain region of the second pull-down element PD2, and the fourth NMOS source region of the second access element T2, through the third NMOS contact pattern 31 c. Accordingly, the first NMOS gate electrode 15 a_1 of the first pull-down element PD1, the first PMOS gate electrode 15 a_2 of the first pull-up element PU1, the second PMOS drain region 23 b_1 of the second pull-up element PU2, the second NMOS drain region 22 b_1 of the second pull-down element PD2, and the fourth NMOS source region 22 b_1 of the second access element T2 may be electrically connected by the first connection pattern 36 a.

A second connection pattern 36 b may be disposed on the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the first NMOS contact pattern 31 a and the second shared contact pattern 30 b. The second connection pattern 36 b may be in direct contact with the second shared contact pattern 30 b and the first NMOS contact pattern 31 a. The second connection pattern 36 b may be electrically connected to the second NMOS gate electrode 15 b_1 of the second pull-down element PD2, the second PMOS gate electrode 15 b_2 of the second pull-up element PU2, and the first PMOS impurity region 23 a_1, that is, the first PMOS drain region of the first pull-up element PU1. Also, the second connection pattern 36 b may be electrically connected to the first NMOS impurity region 22 a_1, that is, the first NMOS drain region of the first pull-down element PD1 and the third NMOS source region of the first access element T1, through the first NMOS contact pattern 31 a. Accordingly, the second NMOS gate electrode 15 b_1 of the second pull-down element PD2, the second PMOS gate electrode 15 b_2 of the second pull-up element PU2, the first PMOS drain region 23 a_1 of the first pull-up element PU1, the first NMOS drain region 22 a_1 of the first pull-down element PD1, and the third NMOS source region 22 a_3 of the first access element T1 may be electrically connected by the second connection pattern 36 b.

A first NMOS pad pattern 38 a may be disposed on the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the second NMOS contact pattern 31 b. A second NMOS pad pattern 38 b may be disposed on the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the fourth NMOS contact pattern 31 d. A third NMOS pad pattern 38 c may be disposed on the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the fifth NMOS contact pattern 31 e. A fourth NMOS pad pattern 38 d may be disposed on the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the sixth NMOS contact pattern 31 f.

A first PMOS pad pattern 39 a may be disposed on the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the first PMOS contact pattern 32 a. A second PMOS pad pattern 39 b may be disposed on the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the second PMOS contact pattern 32 b.

A first gate pad pattern 40 a may be disposed on the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the first gate contact pattern 33 a. A second gate pad pattern 40 b may be disposed on the first interlayer insulating layer 27 and electrically connected to the second gate contact pattern 33 b.

The first and second connection patterns 36 a and 36 b, the first through fourth NMOS pad patterns 38 a, 38 b, 38 c, and 38 d, the first and second PMOS pad patterns 39 a and 39 b, and the first and second gate pad patterns 40 a and 40 b, may be formed of the same conductive material, such as poly-Si, tungsten, copper, or aluminum.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, and 7F, a second interlayer insulating layer 45 may be disposed on the substrate 1 having the first and second connection patterns 36 a and 36 b, the first through fourth NMOS pad patterns 38 a, 38 b, 38 c, and 38 d, the first and second PMOS pad patterns 39 a and 39 b, and the first and second gate pad patterns 40 a and 40 b. The second interlayer insulating layer 45 may include an insulating material, such as silicon oxide.

A first via 48 a may be disposed through the second interlayer insulating layer 45 and electrically connected to the third NMOS pad pattern 38 c. A second via 48 b may be disposed through the second interlayer insulating layer 45 and electrically connected to the fourth NMOS pad pattern 38 d. A third via 50 a may be disposed through the second interlayer insulating layer 45 and electrically connected to the first PMOS pad pattern 39 a. A fourth via 50 b may be disposed through the second interlayer insulating layer 45 and electrically connected to the second PMOS pad pattern 39 b. A fifth via 52 a may be disposed through the second interlayer insulating layer 45 and electrically connected to the first NMOS pad pattern 38 a. A sixth via 52 b may be disposed through the second interlayer insulating layer 45 and electrically connected to the second NMOS pad pattern 38 b. A seventh via 54 a may be disposed through the second interlayer insulating layer 45 and electrically connected to the first gate pad pattern 40 a. An eighth via 54 b may be disposed through the second interlayer insulating layer 45 and electrically connected to the second gate pad pattern 40 b. The first through eighth vias 48 a, 48 b, 50 a, 50 b, 52 a, 52 b, 54 a, and 54 b may be formed of the same conductive material, such as poly-Si, tungsten, copper, or aluminum.

A first bit line 60 a may be disposed on the second interlayer insulating layer 45 and electrically connected to the first via 48 a. A second bit line 60 b may be disposed on the second interlayer insulating layer 45 and electrically connected to the second via 48 b. A power line 62 may be disposed on the second interlayer insulating layer 45 and interposed between the first and second bit lines 60 a and 60 b. The first and second bit lines 60 a and 60 b and the power line 62 may include portions parallel to one another.

The first bit line 60 a may have a first side surface BSa1 facing the second bit line 60 b, and a second side surface BSa2 disposed opposite the first side surface BSa1. From the plan view, the first bit line 60 a may have a portion 61 a protruding from the second side surface BSa2 of the first bit line 60 a to cover the first via 48 a.

The second bit line 60 b may have a first side surface BSb1 facing the first bit line 60 a, and a second side surface BSb2 disposed opposite the first side surface BSb1. From the plan view, the second bit line 60 b may have a portion 61 b protruding from the second side surface BSb2 of the second bit line 60 b to cover the second via 48 b. The power line 62 may be disposed on the second interlayer insulating layer 45 and electrically connected to the third and fourth vias 50 a and 50 b. The power line 62 may be interposed between the first and second bit lines 60 a and 60 b. From the plan view, the power line 62 may have a line shape and overlap the third and fourth vias 50 a and 50 b.

A first ground pad 64 a may be disposed on the second interlayer insulating layer 45 and electrically connected to the fifth via 52 a. A second ground pad 64 b may be disposed on the second interlayer insulating layer 45 and electrically connected to the sixth via 52 b. A first word line pad 66 a may be disposed on the second interlayer insulating layer 45 and electrically connected to the seventh via 54 a. A second word line pad 66 b may be disposed on the second interlayer insulating layer 45 and electrically connected to the eighth via 54 b.

The first and second bit lines 60 a and 60 b, the power line 62, the first and second ground pads 64 a and 64 b, and the first and second word line pads 66 a and 66 b, may be formed of the same conductive material, such as poly-Si, tungsten, copper, or aluminum.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 8A 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F, a third interlayer insulating layer 70 may be disposed on the substrate 1 having the first and second bit lines 60 a and 60 b, the power line 62, the first and second ground pads 64 a and 64 b, and the first and second word line pads 66 a and 66 b. A word line 80, a first ground line 82 a, and a second ground line 82 b may be disposed on the third interlayer insulating layer 70. The word line 80 may overlap the first and second word line pads 66 a and 66 b. A first word line via 74 a may be disposed through the third interlayer insulating layer 70 and interposed between the word line 80 and the first word line pad 66 a. The first word line via 74 a may be electrically connected to the word line 80 and the first word line pad 66 a. A second word line via 74 b may be disposed through the third interlayer insulating layer 70 and interposed between the word line 80 and the second word line pad 66 b. The second word line via 74 b may be electrically connected to the word line 80 and the second word line pad 66 b. The first ground line 82 a may have a portion overlapping the first ground pad 64 a. A first ground via 76 a may be disposed through the third interlayer insulating layer 70 and interposed between the first ground line 82 a and the ground pad 64 a. The first ground via 76 a may electrically connect the first ground line 82 a and the ground pad 64 a. The second around line 82 b may have a portion overlapping the second ground pad 64 b. A second ground via 76 b may be disposed through the third interlayer insulating layer 70 and interposed between the second ground line 82 b and the ground pad 64 a. The second ground via 64 b may electrically connect the second ground line 82 b and the ground pad 64 a.

According to example embodiments, a semiconductor device includes a pair of inverters, in which a sufficient distance between a pull-up element and a pull-down element is ensured to prevent or reduce electrical interference between the pull-up element and the pull-down element.

Furthermore, according to example embodiments, since a layout capable of ensuring a sufficient distance between a pull-up element and a pull-down element constituting an inverter may be provided, dispersion characteristics of an SRAM including the inverter can be improved.

In addition, according to example embodiments, even if an integration density is increased, since a layout capable of ensuring a sufficient distance between a pull-up element and a pull-down element may be provided, a semiconductor device including an SRAM capable of increasing integration density and improving cell stability, may be provided.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic system including a semiconductor device according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 9, an electronic system 150 including a processor 110, a memory unit 120, and an input/output (I/O) device 130, may be provided. The processor 110, the memory unit 120, and the I/O device 130 may communicate data with each other using a bus 140. The I/O device 130 may be used to input or output data of the electronic system 150. The electronic system 150 may be connected to an external apparatus, for example, a personal computer (PC) or a network, using the I/O device 150, and exchange data with the external apparatus. The memory unit 120 may store codes and data required for operations of the processor 110. The processor 110 may function to execute programs and control the electronic system 150. The processor 110 may include a memory device 115, such as a cache memory, a register, or a latch. The memory device 115 may include a semiconductor device according to example embodiments. For example, the memory device 115 may include the semiconductor device described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to an example embodiment. The memory device 115 may include the semiconductor device (e.g., an SRAM) described with reference to FIGS. 2 through 8F, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an example of an electronic device including a semiconductor device according to example embodiments. Referring to FIG. 10, an electronic device 200 including a display device 210 and a semiconductor component 220, may be provided. The semiconductor component 220 may be electrically connected to the display device 210. The semiconductor component 220 may be a module configured to drive the display device 210. The semiconductor component 220 may include a semiconductor device 230 according to example embodiments. For example, the semiconductor device 230 may be the semiconductor device described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to an example embodiment. Alternatively, the semiconductor device 230 may be the semiconductor device (e.g., an SRAM) described with reference to FIGS. 2 through 8F, according to an example embodiment. For instance, the semiconductor device 230 may include the first and second inverters INT_1 and INT_2 described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, or an SRAM cell described with reference to FIGS. 2 through 8F.

The semiconductor device 230 may be embodied by semiconductor packages having various shapes. For example, the semiconductor device 230 may be packaged using a Package on Package (PoP) technique, a ball grid array (BGA) technique, a chip-scale package (CSP) technique, a plastic-leaded chip carrier (PLCC) technique, a plastic dual in-line package (PDIP) technique, a die-in-waffle-pack technique, a die-in-wafer-form technique, a chip-on-board (COB) technique, a ceramic dual in-line package (CERDIP) technique, a plastic metric quad flat pack (MQFP) technique, a thin quad flatpack (TQFP) technique, a small outline (SOIC) technique, a shrink small outline package (SSOP) technique, a thin small outline (TSOP) technique, a thin quad flatpack (TQFP) technique, a system-in-package (SIP) technique, a multi-chip package (MCP) technique, a wafer-level fabricated package (WFP) technique, or a wafer-level processed stack package (WSP) technique.

The electronic device 200 may be applied to various electronic products using the display device 210, such as a mobile phone, a tablet PC, a portable computer, a personal portable information terminal, or household electronic products.

The foregoing is illustrative of embodiments and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the inventive concepts as defined in the claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function, and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor substrate including first and second well regions of a first conductivity type, and a third well region of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type, the third well region between the first and second well regions; a first active region in the first well region; a second active region in the second well region; a third active region in the third well region, the third active region closer to the second active region than to the first active region; a fourth active region in the third well region, the fourth active region closer to the first active region than to the second active region; a first conductive pattern across only the first and third active regions; a second conductive pattern across the second and fourth active regions; a third conductive pattern across the first active region; and a fourth conductive pattern across the second active region, wherein the second and third conductive patterns have end portions that face each other and the facing end portions of the second and third conductive patterns are between the first and third active regions, and wherein the first and fourth conductive patterns have end portions that face each other and the facing end portions of the first and fourth conductive patterns are between the second and fourth active regions.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein one end portion of the third active region is between the second and fourth active regions, and one end portion of the fourth active region is between the first and third active regions.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second active regions includes a first portion having a first width, and a second portion having a second width smaller than the first width, the first portion of the first active region faces the second portion of the second active region, and the second portion of the first active region faces the first portion of the second active region.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein a portion of the third active region facing the second portion of the second active region is larger than a portion of the third active region facing the first portion of the second active region, and a portion of the fourth active region facing the second portion of the first active region is larger than a portion of the fourth active region facing the first portion of the first active region.
 5. The device of claim 3, wherein the first conductive pattern has a bar shape across the first portion of the first active region and the third active region, and the second conductive pattern has a bar shape across the first portion of the second active region and the fourth active region.
 6. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a lower gate dielectric material, a middle gate dielectric material, and an upper gate dielectric material sequentially stacked on the semiconductor substrate, the lower gate dielectric material, the middle gate dielectric material and the upper gate dielectric material between the first conductive pattern and the third active region, wherein the upper gate dielectric material overlaps both the third active region and the first active region, and an end portion of the middle gate dielectric material is between the first and third active regions.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the second conductive pattern crosses only the second and fourth active regions.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second active regions includes a first end portion having a first width, and a second end portion having a second width smaller than the first width; the first end portion of the first active region faces inward towards the second end portion of the second active region such that a sidewall of the first end portion is closer to the fourth active region than a sidewall of the second end portion; and the first end portion of the second active region faces inward towards the second end portion of the first active region such that a sidewall of the first end portion is closer to the third active region than a sidewall of the second end portion. 